For many years, anglers and rod builders alike have believed the best material to construct fishing rod handle grips to be cork. This soft, light, easy-to-shape wood has a long history of service to humans for many uses, but perhaps no use has more fans and supporters than cork used to form fishing rod handle grips. Although some very interesting synthetic rod grip materials have been developed that have applications for big game rods and deep-drop rods, a cork fishing rod grip remains the gold standard for rod handles. It’s good stuff.
Benefits of Cork Fishing Rod Grips
Cork is easy on the hand, flexible and forgiving to the touch, and easily worked. And it appears to be in good supply even with its constant high demand. Cork does not show wear badly, and if properly given care, a cork fishing rod handle grip will last for many, many years. And another advantage of cork grips is the fact that they can be made with a dazzling array of patterns, colors, and styles to suit any angler’s needs. The basic tan color of cork is attractive for many anglers who hold with the basic product, but cork takes dyes well and rod builders can develop a wide range of cork handle modifications.
Types of Custom Cork Grips
Cork grips can be colored and the basic pattern of construction of a cork fishing rod grip allows a wide range of patterns from alternating bands to checkerboard alternating dark and light cut pieces. The process of assembling a cork rod grip is simple. Rings of cork are slid along a rod blank and glued in place to create a single extended handle.
An angler can make the grip as long or short, one piece or two, however, the angler wants. Some artists can even create colored pictures and labels on cork rod grips, and this allows unlimited custom rod grips to be made.
Standard Cork Grips
Cork rod grips are made of several rings made of cork with pre-drilled holes in the exact center of each ring which are stacked together and then glued to make a unified handle grip. These stacked rings can be worked down on a lathe to create the perfect fit for a specific angler’s hand. A wide range of treatments can be used to make a specific cork rod grip look and feel the way a specific angler wants. This is one of the prime advantages of cork handles- they are very adjustable to fit a particular angler’s needs.
Composite Cork Grips
When an angler builds or buys a cork handle grip rod, the choices are pretty wide open as to what other types of wood or other material can be used in connection with the cork itself. Some anglers like a composite grip which has both cork sections and other sections, usually a plastic of some kind to complement the cork sections.
Exotic Cork Grips
Of course, some anglers want something even more spectacular than the usual cork construction in a rod handle. Some artists who work in the medium of cork handles create works that are in most cases too gorgeous for hard fishing use. Some of these artistically decorated cork handles are really too pretty to take out on the water. Many of these decorated rod handles are given as presentation gifts.
Where to Buy Custom Cork Grips
For rod builders, several rod component companies offer cork rings and other tools that are required to put a cork handle together. Companies like Mudhole Custom Tackle, Inc. and The Rod Room offer a wide range of materials, tools, adhesives, and other gear to set up a one-off cork rod handle or a complete rod-building shop.
A “Timmy Grip” offers the ultimate way to transform your rod of choice into something genuinely unique. This goes beyond simple custom thread wraps or selecting a wood for your reel seat. When you work with Tim to commission a “Timmy Grip,” you’re receiving a handcrafted masterpiece worthy of display, yet designed to be in your hand, enhancing your passion and creating lasting memories.
Design Ideas for Custom Cork Grips
One of the most basic yet attractive custom cork rod grip ideas is a pattern of alternating dark and light bands. This produces a very attractive grip, and by choosing varying shades of colored rings, a three or even four-color shade of cork pattern can be created.
Another basic rod grip pattern is the checkerboard pattern. This pattern requires a bit more work in planning, cutting, and arranging blocks to create a solid ring which can then be placed into a grip for finishing. A small jig to make precise cuts and edges is necessary for this kind of rod grip project.
Maintenance and Care for Cork Grips
Like any naturally grown product, cork requires a bit of care and maintenance to keep the grip feeling and working at its best. When cleaning a cork rod grip, use a gentle soap and soft brush to wash off grease, fish blood, or sunscreen lotion. Don’t use a harsh abrasive which can damage the cork surface. A specialized cork sealant and conditioner can be applied if the rod is used hard and very often. Otherwise, a gentle wash after each trip should keep the cork handle in good shape. Finally, and most importantly, keep a cork handle out of the sun when not in use. A stored cork handle rod should not receive long hours of direct sunlight. This can degrade the cork surface and in bad cases, even cause chunks of cork to loosen and fall off which really hurts the rod’s appearance and performance.
